Diet of a Yogi

This question is not just a matter of nutrition for the Ashtangi. Philisophical principles, interpretation and personal experience will influence diet as much as it does any other part of yoga. This post is not meant to say what is right or wrong, it is really just some food for thought☺️ Seriously though, I know that everyone makes food choices based on their own bodies and beliefs and I wholeheartedly respect those decisions when they are well informed.

In Ashtanga, there are eight limbs that make up the basis of the practice. In the West, modern yoga is known best by Asana, which is the third limb and refers to the physical practice. This being only one of the eight, you can see that there are several other aspects to the practice of yoga that will deeply influence the life of any serious Ashtangi.

The first limb is Yama. I have written an entire post on the Yamas. If you would like to learn more about all of them, please check out this post: https://mysocalledyogalifeblog.com/2017/05/29/3rd-edition-using-the-yoga-sutras-of-patanjali-to-enrich-life/

For today, our main interest will focus on the first Yama called Ahimsa. This particular Yama means to cause no harm or pain. For many, when discussing a yogic diet, it has been interpreted as not harming animals by killing them for consumption. Killing an animal to eat it is viewed to be wrong.

Vegetarians and Ahimsa

What is a vegetarian? There are many forms of being vegetarian, but a true vegetarian does not consume eggs, meat or fish. Vegetarians do consume dairy products.

In the world of yoga, it is most common to find people who are vegetarian. I have read that many yogis consume diary products, specifically in the form of ghee or clarified butter. How far one may wish to take this interpretation is individual, in my belief. What does it look like to go further with ahimsa and your diet? Well, since ahimsa also means to cause no pain, one may decide to be more strict with their diet and become vegan.

Veganism

Vegans do not consume meat, fish, eggs or dairy products. Basically, no animal products of any kind will be found in their diet. Generally speaking, the conventional dairy industry and their treatment of animals, is basically why vegans refuse dairy as well. Many vegans will extend their protest of animal cruelty by refraining from wearing leather or any other animal products. Some will only wear vegan make-up and use products not tested on animals.

How Do You Be A Good Yogi?

I think the ethical part of veganism is very noble but there are many factors that can make this lifestyle difficult for some. It isn’t really important how far you can go to respect Ahimsa in your life. If you are being mindful and making decisions that allow you to do your best, you are doing your part. Do your best. That’s it. I have, many times, beaten myself up because I made this choice or that, but at the end of the day, it has to fit into your life.

I will give you an example to illustrate what I mean. When I became pregnant with my first child, I was vegan. With my pregnancy came several food aversions. I hated many of the foods that I relied upon for calcium and protein. There was really no messing around when I had a baby developing inside me so I began to eat some dairy and later on, eggs as well. These are not decisions that were easy for me to make but when it came down to my health, they were justified.

It can also be difficult if you live in a family that is not supportive of your lifestyle choices. I have heard many silly things from people about being vegan, and if you are not strong and able to stick to your choices because of the opinions of those close to you, it is easy to become derailed. It is helpful to find a community of people who are also vegan and have similar views to yours so that you have some support.

Another issue that may confront you is meeting the dietary needs of your immediate family. My personal example of this is my son. He has several food sensitivities to soy, rice, peas, wheat, peanuts, oats and a few other foods. To meet the requirements for a growing child, I find it far too difficult to maintain a vegetarian or vegan diet for him. With just small exposures to these foods, he gets eczema rashes on his body. When he first got the eczema, it was all over his whole body and it was red, itchy and very uncomfortable. Under the advice of a naturopath and some research, I was able to clear him completely. Without these foods, his skin is clear and wonderful. He eats meat. I feel no shame that he does, but I am responsible in where I buy the meat for him to eat.

So you see, yoga philosophy is just that- philosophy. It does not mean that if you cannot practice it to the full extent, you are not doing yoga properly. It is a series of suggestions or a moral code by which we strive to be mindful of and act with awareness to observe it to the best of our abilities. I absolutely love to say ‘Do Your Best.’ Because there is really little else that you can do. It gives me peace of mind to remind myself that doing my best is good enough. My family is healthy, I am healthy and I am thoughtful in the decisions and choices that I make to maintain that. I feel that I am doing my part to be a good Yogi.

31 thoughts on “Diet of a Yogi”

I have lots of vegan friends who live by. ‘I need to stay healthy in regards to medication etc but I won’t excessively abuse that’ for example my vegan friend has severe asthma and can’t avoid using her puffer. She’ll die if she doesn’t but she is well aware it was rested on animals. I guess it’s a more in depth decision than you think. Great post thanks for sharing xx

Its so nice to see the depth of your understanding of Indian yogic traditions. I am a veg/eggitarean and I see your point on the ‘Ahimsa(Non Violence) way’. As much as we stay true to a philosophy I figure out that all of us have a certain need for nutrients for our way of eating. Any state must be planned in such a way that the transition is done beautifully.

Your understanding and delivery of this topic is beautiful. I have recently gone mostly vegetarian but for health reasons, I’m keeping up some ethically sourced red meat at least once every 10 days. I know the farm it comes from, how the animals are treated and where they are taken afterwards. Ethically (for the animals) and environmental awareness have made me choose this path but I am now far more mindful of how I nourish my body.

sarah

Although we’re not vegan/vegetarian, vegetables, lentils, and legumes.are a huge part of our diet. I think it helps when it’s part of your culture as well. As you said, family plays an important role so if your grandmother or mother, relatives, etc cooked many non-meat options as you grew up, it becomes the norm for you.

Nice post. I am far from vegetarian, I like a burger way too much, but I completely understand why people do it. It’s all about free choice at the end of the day, but I do think that there needs to be a lot more emphasis on food education in schools. Where meat comes from and how animals are treated. Give people the facts and let them make their own choices. Of course, the other side is finances. Many families can’t afford to be choosy about what meat they buy even if they wanted to.

This is awesome Lisa. I am not a vegetarian or a vegan but I do love animals and I do feel bad for eating meat. I am trying to cut back on the amount of meat I eat and I’m finding more recipes with other substitutes. But I’m not going to lie and say that’s it’s easy. I do like the taste of meat and I do need more protein in my diet. Thanks for sharing this great advice.

hertraveltherapy

I think it’s an interesting debate between whether one chooses to be vegetarian versus vegan. My vegan friend was vegetarian for many years before switching to vegan, and says that she would never go back. But I have heard several arguments that being vegetarian is better for the environment, because you can easily get protein without having to supplement with products that have a large carbon footprint. I think as long as you are living in line with your own values and beliefs then no one else has the right to judge.

I live by one rule: moderation. I think that we as humans have eaten animals all our lives. The bad thing is the mass killings and the way they do it. If we could all moderate it and eat just once a week (as I do), I believe the industry wouldn’t be so cruel.

I clearly need to eat a much healthier diet. These tips are so good … and will try to
Start following atleast some of them, though honestly I know I’m gonna finding it hard to cut the non veg out… I keep trying.